UK needs several 2019 big men with or without top center James Wiseman

LEXINGTON, Ky. – No target has been higher on John Calipari’s recruiting board throughout the 2019 cycle than James Wiseman, the No. 1 recruit in the class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

But as Wiseman prepares for his official visit to UK’s campus this weekend, it is clear Kentucky coaches have started casting a wider net for other big men in the class.

“(Wiseman) wants to be recruited, but obviously there’s a familiarity with Kentucky’s program,” said Evan Daniels, 247Sports’ national recruiting director. “They’ve been recruiting him longer than anyone, really prioritized him longer than anyone. He’s already been to campus before, so now he’s going back for that official later. I would say they’re in good shape.”

Wiseman has unofficially visited Memphis several times, and new Memphis coach Penny Hardaway coached Wiseman at Memphis East High School and with Team Penny on the Nike AAU circuit last year. The Tigers could still be the choice for Wiseman's fifth and final official visit.

Kentucky has also offered five-star big men Vernon Carey, the No. 1-ranked recruit by Rivals and No. 2-ranked recruit by the 247Sports composite, and Matthew Hurt. UK’s interest in four-star center Oscar Tshiebwe has increased recently with Tshiebwe scheduling an official visit to Lexington for Sept. 28.

“I think it’s clear Kentucky has got to sign multiple bigs in this class,” Daniels said. “They’re going to lose guys next year. They’ve extended their net a little and are certainly dabbling with some others.”

Of Kentucky’s current big men, only graduate transfer Reid Travis is guaranteed to leave with his eligibility exhausted after this season, but the other three post players on the roster could all be gone by May as well.

Sophomore PJ Washington almost left for the NBA draft after his freshman season and is now projected as a possible lottery pick in 2019. Freshman forward EJ Montgomery is the highest-rated recruit in UK’s 2018 signing class according to the 247Sports composite and is considered a possible one-and-done candidate.

“The scouts, the guy they’re amazed with: Nick,” Calipari said after the last Bahamas game. “They love Keldon (Johnson). They love Tyler (Herro). They think PJ is way better than he was, but they’re looking at Nick and saying, ‘Wait a minute.’ And he’s 7-foot, and if you watch the tape he’s flying up and down the court.”

I think it’s clear Kentucky has got to sign multiple bigs in this class. They’re going to lose guys next year.

Evan Daniels

The best-case scenario for Kentucky’s 2019 class remains the Wildcats landing both Wiseman and Carey, and both recruits have opened the door to playing together in college, but UK might not be the leader for any of its four primary post targets.

Memphis leads with 67 percent of the predictions in the 247Sports crystal ball feature for Wiseman, though Daniels picked for Kentucky in October and has thus far declined to switch it since Hardaway was hired by Memphis.

Duke holds 50 percent of the crystal ball picks for Carey, and Miami, where Carey’s father was a star football player, remains a factor along with Michigan State and North Carolina.

Kansas holds an overwhelming lead with 83 percent of the crystal ball predictions for Hurt, and Kentucky has ground to make up with West Virginia in the race for Tshiebwe if Calipari goes all in him after the official visit.

“I don’t know who the next guy would be,” Daniels said. “… They’ve prioritized those four. I think there’s always a chance you can scare somebody else off, but it also depends on the kids, their mentality. Obviously, there’s going to be playing time available.”

Uncommitted post players Isaiah Stewart, the 247Sports composite’s No. 5 recruit in the class, and Kofi Cockburn, the No. 8-ranked center, recently released lists without Kentucky despite reports of contact from the program. Five-star forward Jaden McDaniels, the No. 4 recruit in the class, is still waiting on a UK offer.

Kentucky has reestablished interest in five-star forward Aidan Igiehon, one of Louisville’s top targets. Igiehon, who recently included UK in his top four, told the Courier Journal that UK has issued a scholarship offer, but sources close to the program have been unable to confirm that offer and an official visit to campus has yet to be scheduled.

By then, Wiseman’s official visit will be finished and Kentucky coaches may have a better idea of where they stand in his recruitment, which is expected to last until the spring.

“The worst news for Memphis fans would be that he’s not going to make his decision anytime soon,” Daniels said. “… I think in terms of Kentucky it’s status quo. The reason it might not be great for Memphis is Penny Hardaway was his coach and the longer he goes where he’s not committed to Memphis or not around him, I think it’s probably not necessarily a positive.”